Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1887-02-21

too plainly informed me, that there
was no hope of escape from the fate
that seemed to them and the outside
world to be staring me in the face.
Every possible effort had been made,
every available influence pressed into
service with the president, and he
had positively declined interfering
with the judgment of the court-mar-
tial. The worthy chaplain corrobor-
ated their sad information. Said he:
Captain, you should prepare for
death, for your life ends in a few
days"
Here was food for reflection, sure
ly. In the prime and vigor of early
manhood, my veins thrilling with
the bounding energy of young blood;
life just begun with it's plans, schemes
and purposes all to work out
young wife and two children, with all
the hopes of joy existence with them
gave: ambitious walks all wide be-
fore me awaiting to be trod what
burning pages vet unread in the book
of life
In battle, the half-read paragraph
of life is suddenly left with a dash,
an unseen, unfelt bullet cuts off with
out thought the might be.
But here, alone, in silent darkness,
the heavy wonder would come, $50
strong in health and hope of life, is
death so near?'
Life's retrospect, as memory was
forced to the review, presented so
much yet to be done, so much just
begun that should be finished.
Is it possible-is it true-this hale,
hearty, healthy body so soon to feed
the worms? Are these 1.-THE limbs to
walk out in funeral pageant, my own
funeral? Quick, active firm as the
to march out with them and they
back without me?
To 90 forth from this dark, living
tomb, to give my longing eyes one
quaff of sunlight, and then shut them
forever in the eternal darkness of
deaths real grave?
Am l to die? To quit? To be no
more? Talked of day or week, and
then forgotten? Is it / who am to
look at those twelve soldiers in silent
rank twelve PAGES at my front? To
hear the command, "Ready-aim-
fire % and hear the death message,
feel deaths bullet, and know death
all in one brief instant-and then for
ever know no more?
For the life of me I could not saw
eyes, it is l." ] had no such feel
ing, and why l can not tell.
l knew the law military-knew if i
was found guilty as a spy, no power
but that of the pardoning prerogative
of the Chief Executive could avert /,
death.
/ knew all had been done by my
friends that could be done, and with
out avail.
Still, l could not think that i was
to die so soon.
Such reflections, retrospections,
self-arguings came to me daily, as
the time drew near appointed for my
execution.
Finally it came. Shall ever for
get that November morning in '63.
They had told me that / would be
taken out at nine O'Clock in the morn
ing, would be allowed an officers /
room in the barracks, where my par
ents, sisters and brothers would meet
me and spend my last few hours with
me. H.I
When taken out they had 20 seat
me in the outer guard-room quarter
of an hour, till my eyes became ac-
customed to the piercing glare of sun
shine.
Then they took me to the room
where found father, mother, sisters,
brothers and a minister. 1t was the
quarters of an officer of the post, and
very comfortably furnished,
Just outside-we could see them
through the window-stood a special
detail of twelve men, selected as the
unwilling executioners of the SEN
fenced man.
Telling me / should have until the
last minute before three o'clock, but
then would have to 60, the colonel
locked the door and left me with my
friends.
They had secured the privilege Of
spending these last few hours with
me, knew to comfort and console,
perhaps to strengthen me to the fear
full ordeal through which / had 10
pass. But had to comfort and con-
sole them.
My father was broken down. 1t
must be a horrid strain upon a faith
er's feelings to sit and look at his
son, in the prime of manhood, and
count off the few intervening minutes
Of that boys remaining life.
Brothers and sisters could only
gaze at me in speechless misery, APP
palled by the gloomy shadow Of death
that was then casting about me.
! had 10 become a consoler. and
strained every nerve, called forth
every power TO smile. / would not
permit the trembling man Of God TO
offer prayers, knowing his words
would fall upon those loving ears as